Cross-platform and data-specific visualisation of 3d data records

ABSTRACT

In a device for cross-platform and data-specific visualization of 3D data records using visualization software for display on a 2D monitor, the 3D volume data are stored together with visualization software on a data carrier, the data carrier being transmittable to a user for playback on any personal computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a device for cross-platform and data-specificvisualization of 3D data records by means of visualization software fordisplay on a 2D monitor.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The brochure entitled “SIENET MagicView 300, Image Reporting, ImageProcessing and All That Goes With It” describes a viewer for visualizing2D data records, as may be gathered from the first column on page 2. Itis stated there that a digital image is defined as a matrix of discretevalues that represent the gray-scale values. However, a matrix is alwaystwo-dimensional and does not represent a data volume such as issupplied, for example, as a 3D data record from a CT, MR or C-arm CT.

Conversion of 2D acquired datasets to 3D volume data records leads to upthe problem of having to exchange the volume data among doctors and ofhaving to visualize them on different computers. In order to ensureuniform image quality, in addition to the medical data record it isnecessary to make available a program that permits the visualization ofthe 3D data on the 2D monitor. The use of different methods for volumevisualization together with the many possibilities for parameterizingthe algorithms lead to a different image quality.

To date, such volume data generally have been exchanged by transmittingthe volume data record via a DICOM interface to a medical workstation atwhich expensive volume visualization software is installed, althoughdifficulties can occur in turn here as well when this volumevisualization software is not the same as that which was used on theoriginal computer of the radiologist.

In addition, individual views of the volume data record have also beengenerated, stored in a standard image format and passed on. Images canbe viewed on any desired PC with the aid of standard programs such asphotoshop, for example. Finally, it has also been proposed to store anumber of fixed views in a set sequence as a digital video (avi, forexample) and then play them back using standard software tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a device forcross-platform, data-specific visualization of 3D data records which, inconjunction with a simple design, operates independently of thecomputers respectively used and of any possible visualization software,and thereby permits 3D volume data records to be ordered and viewed byany desired third parties with the best play back quality.

This object is achieved in accordance with a device for cross-platformand data-specific visualization of 3D data records wherein the inventionprovides that the 3D volume data are stored together with visualizationsoftware on a data carrier, and the latter is transmitted to a user forplayback on any desired PC.

Storing the 3D volume data record together with any (desired)visualization software means that 3D volume can be visualized on any PCwithout software additionally installed on said PC. Moreover, the unitof data record and visualization algorithm ensures that no generalvisualization tool with the aid of which any desired data records can bedisplayed is involved.

In an embodiment of the invention the visualization parameters are alsostored on the data carrier in an at least partially unchangeablefashion. This yields the advantageous possibility of, for example,making a 3D volume data record, produced by a radiologist and in whichspecific structures have been specially emphasized by specificvisualization parameters, available to the operator in the operationroom, in which case the latter then also sees precisely the structuresthat the radiologist has emphasized via the visualization parameters onthe basis of his specialist knowledge. In many cases, it can beexpedient, when transmitting such 3D data to less experienced doctors,not to leave to the physician all the possibilities of selecting thevarious visualization parameters, since in most cases they areoverwhelmed and, in the final analysis, are unable to extract any usefulimage at all from the data. Storing the 3D volume with visualizationsoftware and the visualization parameters found by the radiologist to bethe best possible display of a specific structure on a data carrier,preferably a CD, makes it possible in a simple way to solve the problemof passing on such 3D volume data records among doctors by makingpassing them on very simple, so that the receiver requires no specialfacilities (expensive visualization software on his or her workstation). Moreover, the data of the 3D volume data record that are ofinterest to the receiver can be passed on such that even anon-radiologist obtains an optimum display. Of course, even in such acase with fixed visualization parameters the operator still has theoptions of spatially rotating the 3D volume data record, for examplewith specially emphasized bone structures or else arborizations, and ofregarding them from all possible points of view in order to prepare fora surgical operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The single FIGURE schematically illustrates the projection of a 3Dvolume data record onto a 2D monitor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

When a 3D volume data record is being produced, the volume of interestis transirradiated from an optical center 1, and the points lying on theline of transirradiation are imaged in an image plane. A 3D volume datarecord can be calculated with the aid of an algorithm from a number oftwo-dimensional images produced from different optical centers 1. In thereconstruction, shown in the FIGURE, of the 3D data record on a 2Dmonitor 2, the points lying on a projection ray 3 are added to the 3Dvolume V in accordance with variable points of view, specifically theso-called visualization parameters, for example with their gray-scalevalues, and imaged on the 2D monitor 2 as a pixel. The setting of thevisualization parameters is a particularly difficult art in this caseand is mastered only by experienced radiologists, whereas normal doctorsare able only with great difficulty to emphasize the structures theydesire from a 3D volume data record. For example, depending on thesetting of the visualization parameters, vascular arborizations in the3D volume V, for example, are specially emphasized, or else specificbone structures or other medical details. If these visualizationparameters are recorded in common on a data record together with thevisualization software respectively used and the 3D volume data by therecording radiologist, in particular burnt onto a CD, this data recordcan very easily be sent to a doctor or another department of a hospitalwhere a simple PC requiring no special visualization installations ofany sort, that is to say, in particular, on which there is no need toinstall any expensive visualization software, is sufficient forvisualization. The simultaneous co-storage of the visualizationparameters as far as possible in a way such that the receiver is nolonger capable of changing them has the advantage that even lessexperienced doctors can view on their simple PC with the best imagequality precisely the structures emphasized by the radiologist.

An exemplary scenario is as follows.

A neuroradiologist generates a three-dimensional volume data recordusing an angiography unit, edits the volume in such a way that ananeurism is effectively displayed, and burns a CD for the neurosurgeon.The neurosurgeon takes the CD, plays it on a standard PC and canvisualize and analyze the 3D data record directly. The neurosurgeon isnot dependent on a special work station, can inspect the data record onany desired computer, and can do so, moreover, with the same quality asthe neuroradiologist.

Although modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled inthe art, it is the invention of the inventors to embody within thepatent warranted heron all changes and modifications as reasonably andproperly come within the scope of his contribution to the art.

1. A device for cross-platform and data-specific visualization of 3Ddata records by visualization software for display on a 2D monitor, aprocessor in which 3D volume data are stored together with visualizationsoftware on a data carrier, the data carrier being transmittable to auser for play back on any PC.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1,wherein said processor also stores visualization parameters on the datacarrier in an at least partially unchangeable fashion.
 3. The device asclaimed in claim 2, wherein the data carrier is a CD.